Remington bolt bending

[xcalibor67]

Has anyone ever attempted bending a bolt handle that is brazed on? Reason being, I built a rifle using a Remington 722 action which has a 90 degree bolt handle, and I wanted to use a 700 stock with a BDL hinged floor plate. Really did not want to grind on the new stock, and it has a large gap at the back of bolt channel for the 700 style handle..I was thinking of using some heat sink compound right above the bending point and up on the top where its soldered on, then using a fairly large tip, heating up the bolt fast, so I don't have to stay on it all day and bending it, then dipping just the upper part of the handle to aid in keeping the solder joint cool... Any thoughts or suggestions? thanks.

 

[beag_nut]

Well, if it's brazed on, it isn't soldered on. Temperatures are much different. And, I don't think you can find a heat sink which will protect the brazed joint while you get the steel red hot (or higher) to bend it.

 

[xcalibor67]

Not sure what the factory uses brazing/soldering, but its def. factory. The point where im bending will be at least 5/8 down, away from the factory joint.
My father tells me the heat sink stuff is good stuff, and he swears we can do it, lol. I was hoping im not the 1st dummy that attempted this, and had some pointers.. I suppose worst case scenario, the handle falls off and I find a good smith to attach a 700 handle, already swept back..

 

[Jim K]

It is copper electric brazing. One idea is to use a copper rod (like a ground rod) sized to fit tightly into the bolt as a heat sink. It could even be wrapped with wet rags. I don't know for sure that would work, but it should.

Jim